Latest Area News Headlines

SLAYTON – Murray County Commissioner John Giese died early Sunday morning at his home in Slayton. Giese, who was 79, had served on the Murray County Board since 2007 and was the current Chairman.

His term was to end Jan 1, 2015, and due to health issues, he did not run for re-election.

Giese grew up in Mountain Lake and Jeffers. He was a branch manager for Farm Credit in Slayton for 29 years, retiring in 2000. Giese also was a charter member for the Buffalo Ridge Ducks Unlimited and Oak Ridge Gobblers of the National Wild Turkey Federation. He also belonged to the Friends...

ADRIAN – Two people received non-life threatening injuries Saturday when a Chevrolet Impala rear-ended a snowplow on I-90 near Adrian. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the MnDOT snow plow was in the eastbound left lane with its blade lifted. Driver Mark Holtz, 60, of Magnolia, was preparing to make a u-turn, when the Impala, driven by 28-year-old Kyle King of Rock Rapids, Iowa, approached in the right lane and failed to see the plow because of the blowing snow. King hit the plow as he attempted to pass. He and a passenger, 14-year-old Jaylen Klein, were taken to Sanford Worthington...

WORTHINGTON – Charges have filed in Nobles County District Court against Majuang Thomas Ojulu after a high speed chase that took place Thursday out of Worthington and into Rock County.

According to information released by the Chief Troy Appel of the Worthington Police Department, Ojulu was associated with a stolen vehicle in Worthington and had active warrants. A Worthington officer was advised the stolen vehicle was located and traveling east on Industrial Boulevard. The officer met the vehicle and recognized the driver as Ojulu. As the officer gave chase, Ojulu increased his...

WORTHINGTON – District 518 Community Education will be celebrating its 40th anniversary with an open house from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Community Ed office at 117 11th Avenue. Community members, past and present participants, stakeholders and staff are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served and a short presentation will be given every 45 minutes. They include the Even Start Family Literacy pre-school children at 3:35 p.m., the Celebration Chorus at 4:15 p.m., ABE program at 5:15 and Community Connectors and El Sistema participants at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the...

WORTHINGTON – Charges have been filed in Nobles County District Court against Sarah Elizabeth Nealy, 36, of Worthington, for one count of vehicular operation causing bodily harm, driving while impaired, interfering with a peace officer, reckless driving and careless driving.

The criminal complaint states authorities were called Saturday to the scene of an accident with injuries in the 1700 block of North Burlington, where they found Nealy in her vehicle with a beer on the floor. The vehicle was in a front yard and the nearby light pole showed signs of being hit. Nealy confirmed to...

WORTHINGTON — Love INC’s Christmas Tree Forest is back, and this year the theme is Candy Land. Businesses have until the end of this week to sign up for the annual event, which will be from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2-4 at First United Methodist Church, 408 11th St. So far, 15 businesses have committed to participating, and there will be a photo booth this year. All proceeds from the booth will go toward Love INC’s Growing Hope Life Skills classes. Any business still interested in creating a tree for the Christmas Tree Forest event should call 727-7290.

WORTHINGTON — Minnesota West Community and Technical College and other Minnesota state colleges and universities are engaged in a collaborative process to develop specific actions to better serve their 435,000 students and communities, strengthen their colleges and universities, and protect their unique character.

An effort addressing the challenges facing colleges is “Charting the Future,” and the work stems from six recommendations developed with input from more than 5,000 students, faculty and staff that were adopted by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of...

WORTHINGTON – As of 6 a.m. on Friday, Det. Sgt. Kevin Flynn has a new title – Captain Flynn. The City of Worthington announced Friday that Flynn has been named the Captain of the Worthington Police Department.

Flynn, who served as the interim Police Chief after the retirement of Chief Mike Cumiskey, is a 23-year veteran of the department and will act as second-in-command to Chief Troy Appel, who was appointed to that position in September.

Flynn said the interview process concluded Thursday, and he was contacted that evening by Appel. After being on the investigative side of...

The Civil Service Commission met Thursday to interview internal candidates for the open position of Captain with the Worthington Police Department. Following the interviews the Commission made its recommendation and a final selection led to the appointment of Kevin Flynn, a twenty-three year veteran of the Department.

The Captain’s position is second in command with the police department and serves as Chief should he not be available. As a key member of the management team, the Captain is also the direct supervisor of the Sergeants, handles administrative functions of the...

WORTHINGTON – After a victory Tuesday at the polls, District 22B Rep. Rod Hamilton is now aiming for one among his peers – he hopes to be chosen as the next House speaker by fellow Republicans. The competition for this seat is a bit stiff. He’s up against former Majority Leader Matt Dean of Dellwood, and House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt of Crown.

Hamilton was the lead Republican on the House Agriculture Policy Committee during the last legislative session while also serving on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance and Transportation Finance committees. He...